LATANOPROST FOR THE TREATMENT OF ALOPECIA AREATA OF EYELASHES

Background: Latanoprost, a prostaglandin F 2a analogue, is an intraocular pressure lowering drug used in the treatment of glaucoma. Increase in eyelash number, length, pigmentation, curvature is reported after using topical Latanoprost in these patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Latanoprost ophthalmic solution on eyelash regrowth in patients with alopecia areata. Methods: Fifteen patients with alopecia areata and bilateral eyelash involvement, who showed excellent response to diphencyprone therapy, entered the study to be treated with Latanoprost ophthalmic solution. In each patient, one eye was randomly treated with Latanoprost daily over 3 months. To assess the eyelash changes, patients were followed up monthly. Results: Ten patients completed the study. Two patients had significant eyelash regrowth of both eyes. One patient showed eyelash regrowth on upper eyelid of the eye treated with Latanoprost. Conclusion: In this study, Latanoprost was not effective in treatment of alopecia areata of eyelashes. It is advisable to evaluate the efficacy of higher concentration and/or more frequent application of the Latanoprost with an appropriate vehicle for the treatment of alopecia areata of eyelashes.

[1]  A. McMichael,et al.  Alopecia areata , 2007, International journal of dermatology.

[2]  A. Tosti,et al.  Efficacy and safety of a new clobetasol propionate 0.05% foam in alopecia areata: a randomized, double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial , 2006, Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV.

[3]  P. Joly.  The use of methotrexate alone or in combination with low doses of oral corticosteroids in the treatment of alopecia totalis or universalis. , 2006, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

[4]  S. Nakagawa,et al.  A Comparison of the Efficacy, Relapse Rate and Side Effects among Three Modalities of Systemic Corticosteroid Therapy for Alopecia Areata , 2006, Dermatology.

[5]  J. Shapiro,et al.  Lack of efficacy of topical latanoprost in the treatment of eyebrow alopecia areata. , 2005, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

[6]  K. Kashiwagi,et al.  A Prospective Study of Iridial Pigmentation and Eyelash Changes Due to Ophthalmic Treatment with Latanoprost , 2004, Japanese Journal of Ophthalmology.

[7]  R. Tazi-Ahnini,et al.  Epidemiology and genetics of alopecia areata , 2002, Clinical and experimental dermatology.

[8]  B. Strober,et al.  Eyelash hypertrichosis in a patient treated with topical latanoprost. , 2001, Cutis.

[9]  J. Shapiro,et al.  Alopecia areata update. , 2000, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

[10]  M. Johnstone.  Hypertrichosis and increased pigmentation of eyelashes and adjacent hair in the region of the ipsilateral eyelids of patients treated with unilateral topical latanoprost. , 1997, American journal of ophthalmology.

[11]  A. McMichael.  The genetic epidemiology and autoimmune pathogenesis of alopecia areata , 1997 .

[12]  A. Boehm,et al.  Therapy of alopecia areata with diphencyprone , 1992, The British journal of dermatology.

[13]  T. Hamilton,et al.  Oral cyclosporine for the treatment of alopecia areata. A clinical and immunohistochemical analysis. , 1990, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

[14]  C. Buys,et al.  Evaluation of anthralin in the treatment of alopecia areata. , 1987, Archives of dermatology.

[15]  V. Price.  Double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of topical minoxidil in extensive alopecia areata. , 1987, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

[16]  A. Claudy,et al.  PUVA Treatment of Alopecia Areata , 1983 .

[17]  A. Gilhar,et al.  Alopecia areata: a tissue specific autoimmune disease of the hair follicle. , 2006, Autoimmunity reviews.

[18]  R. Wolf,et al.  Prostaglandin analogs for hair growth: great expectations. , 2003, Dermatology online journal.

[19]  T. Cainelli,et al.  Topical immunotherapy of alopecia areata. A follow-up study. , 1986, Acta dermato-venereologica.

[20]  N. Swanson,et al.  Topical therapy of alopecia areata with squaric acid dibutylester. , 1984, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.